Ch. 3

Instructions

Their first day of Defense Against the Dark Arts went pretty well, at least that's what I thought. After class, Gunner asked if I wanted to meet him at the lake after school. “I noticed you don’t have many friends, and I was wondering if you wanted to come hang out with me and mine.” I was surprised. I didn’t think anyone would want to be my friend, but of course, he didn’t know who I really was. “Sure, that could be fun.” He gave me a warm smile. “See you then.” He went to walk away, but stopped. “Oh, and by the way, my sister will be there too. Do you care?” I shook my head. She seemed nice, I just needed to get to know her first. “Well, see you!” I tried to remember where my next class was, but all those instructions Hermione had given me were confusing. Was it three lefts and then two rights, or two lefts then three rights? Why did the school have to be so big, and why weren't there signs? “Are you okay?” I looked up, and saw another boy. He looked like a third year, had brown hair, and was reasonably tall. “Yeah, I’m fine, just a little lost.” //again// “Do you want help?” “No, I’m sure you have classes you need to get to.” “No, it’s not a problem.” He took my schedule and read my next class. I prayed he wouldn't read my name. “Herbology, huh? That’s my favorite class.” He pointed out to a little green building. “You see that green house over there?” “You mean as in a house that grows plants, or as in that house is green?” He laughed. “Both.” He gave me back my schedule. “Here, let me walk you over.” “No, I’m good. Thank you…” “Neville. Neville Longbottom.” I felt as if someone had just punched me in the stomach a million times. I couldn’t believe he was being so nice to me, considering our family history. “And you are?” “Gabriella.” “Gabriella?” Just then someone shouted from behind me, “Longbottom!” Neville took a step back, his face going pale. I looked behind me and saw, who I recognized from the night before as Professor Snape. “You should be in my class now, why are you out here, causing trouble I presume?” “N-no sir. I was helping a first year student find her class.” He looked so nervous, and I didn't blame him. “Well that would be very kind, if only it was true.” “It is sir.” I cut in. I knew I should’ve stayed out of it, but I didn’t want to get Neville in trouble just for helping me. He sneered at me leaving me feeling an anger that burned in my chest. “So the little first year couldn't find her classes, huh?” I felt my face go hot. Now the hot anger was being replaced with a cold embarrassment. “It’s her first day sir.” “Well, maybe after today she'll learn to remember where she is going.” He turned to walk away, but stopped right next to the hourglasses recording all the house's points. “Ten points from Gryffindor, and Ravenclaw.” “What?” I yelled. “But we didn’t do anything.” “You are both late for your classes, and are wasting my time, now if you say another word, that’ll be another five.” “What-” I tried to say, but Neville elbowed me before I could. “Good, now come along, Longbottom.” Before he left he asked if I wanted to hang out. “Well, I’m hanging out with some other kids, you should totally join us.” “Are you sure?” “Yeah. We’re meeting up by the lake.” “Okay, see you then.” “See you.”